CHP investigates case of invasive meningococcal infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 30) is investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, and reminds the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting this serious disease.
The case involves a 24-year-old male with good past health. He presented with a fever, headache and rash on September 23. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on September 27. His blood specimen tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia. He is still hospitalised and is in critical condition.
An initial investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP will distribute preventive drugs to his close contacts and will continue the investigation. No epidemiological linkages have been established so far between this case and another case recorded this week.
Meningococcal infection is a statutory notifiable disease. Including this case, the CHP has recorded ten cases this year.
Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, of infected persons. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis). Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, an intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache, stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or rash; it can cause brain damage or even death.
To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take the following measures:
Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, hold the saliva with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
Avoid crowded places;
Avoid close contact with patients who have a fever or severe headache;
Consult doctors about meningococcal vaccination before travelling to high-risk areas; and
Seek medical advice if you become ill after returning from high-risk areas, and discuss your recent travel history with your doctor.
The public may visit the CHP'swebsitefor more information on meningococcal infection.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD Sunlight Market stalls for rent on January 22, 23 and 26
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 14) that eight vacant stalls at the Sunlight Market will be available to the public for renting on January 22, 23 and 26 on a first-come, first-served basis.
The retail commodities allowed for sale in these stalls cover vegetables, seawater fish, frozen/chilled meat (excluding chilled poultry), other food-related wet goods, non-food-related wet goods and non-food-related dry goods. The licence agreement is a 25-month fixed term starting from February 1, with no right of renewal upon expiry of the licence agreement. The licence fee of the stalls varies depending on their sizes. Relevant information is available on the FEHD website.
Members of the public who are interested in renting a market stall should approach the Islands District Environmental Hygiene Office, Room 626, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central (Tel: 2852 3606), to apply in person from 9.30am to 12.30pm or 2.30pm to 4.30pm during the abovementioned renting period.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Applicants for the market stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. To allow more people to select stalls and increase customer choices by enhancing the diversity in terms of the variety of stalls, each applicant can only rent one stall in the Sunlight Market. The terms and conditions of renting market stalls on a first-come, first-served basis have been uploaded to the FEHD website, detailing the qualifications of the applicants."
Details of renting market stalls in the FEHD Sunlight Market on a first-come, first-served basis have been uploaded to the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/FCFS/index.html). Interested applicants may visit the department website or contact the Islands District Environmental Hygiene Office.
The Sunlight Market, Photo source: reference image
